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ARCHIVES FOR JULY 14 2008

Jamaica's Seaga warns of EPA "failure"
A STRONG warning has come from Jamaica's former Prime Minister Edward Seaga that the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union will prove to be "another failure", similar to this region's experience with the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) launched by the United States of America.

Seaga, who retired from party politics after serving for a long period as leader of the Jamaica Labour Party, and is now a Distinguished Fellow of the University of the West Indies, argues:

"What is now taking place with the EPA is little different than what occurred with the CBI in the 1980-1990s, when goods from this region could enter the United States free, while exports from America still continued to pay duty. On this basis, the regional countries continued to receive revenues from custom duties, unlike the EPA arrangement where the revenue of earnings from European imports will be zero..."

In his weekly Jamaica 'Sunday Gleaner' column yesterday, titled "EPA--another failure in the making" Seaga extended his comparison with the CBI by observing:

"Anyone who studies the history of the CBI sufficiently, will recognise that the countries of the Caribbean and Central America had no capacity to export manufactured goods to the USA, and had to fight farm lobbies which tried to bar competing agricultural exports. Over a 15-year span, the record will show that only three or four countries benefited to any great extent..."

Seaga, whose critical assessment of the EPA conflicts with the support for the accord of the JLP administration of Prime Minister Bruce Golding, likened the accord with the EU as "the grand design of the globalisation which has been created to force all feet to fit one shoe...

He recalled that Sir Shridath Ramphal, former Commonwealth Secretary General and chairman of the West Indian Commission "once said: 'The ruling principle in negation between unequals is not reciprocity but proportionality".

*Meanwhile, writing differently in the "Gleaner" yesterday on growing reservations about the EPA, Robert Buddan, lecturer in the UWI's Department of Government (Mona Campus), offered an analysis in support of those who argue in favour of more time for critical evaluation of the accord initialled between representatives of the European Commission and the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM), and which is being proposed for signing by next month end, if not earlier.

Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo has officially informed its CARICOM partners that his government was withholding its commitment to sign the EPA until the outcome of a national consultation of stakeholders that is being organised for later this month.

In his examination of the EPA, the UWI lecturer Buddan contends that the accord with the EU "could not have come at a worse time for the Caribbean. First, as France takes over the presidency of the EU, the forces of protectionism will strengthen and highlight the mockery of free trade, especially in agriculture..."

He further claims that in its current form, the EPA "will undermine" regional initiatives such as "the food security plan initiated by Guyana. (R.SINGH)

Guyanese scientist helps Cornell secure major Saudi research funding
Grant valued a whopping US$25M
CORNELL University is one of four tertiary institutions awarded sizeable grants by the Saudi-based King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) to fund research in various disciplines of science, thanks to pioneering work in the area of nanomaterials by Guyanese-born Dr Lynden Archer and his colleague, Dr Emmanuel Giannelis.

Dr Lynden Archer with the KAUST Global Partnership Research Award Trophy presented him by Saudi Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Mr. Ali Bin Ibrahim Al Nami at a function at KAUST University in May.

The other three universities to have been specially selected to partner with KAUST, through its Global Research Partnership (GRP) programme, in path-breaking scientific research are Stanford and Texas A&M of the United States, and Oxford in England. Their field of research is in the areas of molecular photovoltaics, applied mathematics and computational science, and applied mathematics respectively.

While it is not clear how much the other scholarships are worth, the Chronicle has been informed that Cornell will receive an estimated US$25 million over a five-year period to establish what is hoped will become a leading research hub for nanomaterials science and technology.

Archer, a Queens College graduate, is the ML Hart Professor of Chemical and Bio-molecular Engineering at Cornell’s, while Giannelis is the Walter R Read Professor of Engineering and chair of the institution’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

As co-directors, or co-principal investigators as they are sometimes referred to, of Cornell’s KAUST Centre for Research and Education (CU-KAUST), their task is to build on the work already started at Cornell in the area of nanoparticle ionic materials (NIMs), a new type of hybrid nanomaterials which has the potential for applications in emerging technologies to do with the desalination of water, the capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide, the production of gas and oil, and the conversion of solar energy.

According to a release issued by KAUST, the pair will also help with the development of the proposed KAUST Nanoscale Facility (KNF), drawing upon their own involvement with Cornell’s success with its Nanoscale Science and Technology Facility, and serve in an advisory capacity on curriculum and faculty development at KAUST.

The four academic institutions were selected for the programme from a field of 41 in what has been described as “a highly rigorous technical review of … top quality proposals from academic and industrial organisations around the world” by a panel of 65 international experts drawn from the world community of academic and industrial researchers.

According to KAUST Interim Vice-President for Research, Mr. Mohamed Samaha, the competition was so stiff “it was a challenge to pick the ones that best fit KAUST’s vision, mission, and current needs.”

By some quirk of fate, Dr Archer just so happens to have been associated with all three of the US institutions granted KAUST awards, in that he obtained his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University, specialising in Polymers, and was at one time assistant professor in Chemical Engineering at Texas A &M. He’s also served Cornell in the capacity of Associate Professor, Professor, and Chair Professor of Chemical Engineering, and is one of four brothers, all QC graduates, who have consistently excelled in the fields of engineering and science.

Brother, Glendon, holds a DSc in Metallurgical Engineering from Columbia University and after working as a technical specialist with a major international metallurgical firm, has held top management positions in companies in the minerals and metals industries.

Brother, Egan, holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering, having studied at the Universities of Leeds and Sheffield, and after a stint as Post Doctoral Research Associate at Sheffield, is currently a Director with a world-renowned British-based consultancy firm in the fields of energy, the environment and pollution.

Brother, Brian, who holds an MSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Manitoba, is currently employed as a senior systems control engineer with Manitoba Hydro and has just completed the requirements for his PhD in Engineering.

Dr Archer is married to the former Shivaun Farinha, also a QC graduate and a Guyana Scholar. She holds an MSc from Cambridge and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Davis University, and is currently working as a Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Engineering at Cornell.

KAUST is being built in Saudi Arabia as an international, graduate-level research university dedicated to inspiring a new age of scientific achievement in the Kingdom, across the region and around the globe.

As an independent, merit-based institution, KAUST will enable top researchers from around the globe to work together to solve challenging scientific and technological problems.

Its global research and education network will support diverse talents both on its campus and at other premier universities and research institutions through collaborative research agreements, grants, and student scholarship programmes.

The core campus, located on more than 36 million square meters of property on the Red Sea at Thuwal, is set to open in September 2009.

Pillion rider dies in motor cycle, minibus collision
A head on collision between a minibus and a motor cycle on the Covent Garden Public Road early yesterday morning left one man dead and another in a critical condition in the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).

Dead is pillion rider Owen Adolph, 43, of 30 Middle Street, Mc Doom, also on the East Bank Demerara, who previously lived at Linden where he did cycle repairs.

The motorcyclist, 41-year-old Leeroy Nedd, of 30 Half Mile Wismar - a member of the Guyana Defence Force, was admitted to the GPH suffering multiple injuries, including a fractured hip and shoulders, injuries to both legs and lacerations about the face. Nedd who, despite his injuries remained conscious, was admitted to Ward A 1 after being initially treated at the Accident and Emergency Unit.

Adolph's eldest son, Deon, who shared his home with him at Mc Doom, spoke with the Chronicle. Deon, an employee of the Geology and Mines Commission, Brickdam, recalled that on Saturday afternoon around 17:45 hrs his father left home in the company of a friend on whose bus he was working as a conductor. He never returned home that night, but Deon was not worried, as it was not the first time his father stayed out at night.

However, around 08:00 h. yesterday, Deon said he received a phone call from a family friend in Linden who informed him that his father had been involved in an accident and was seriously hurt. She urged him to get down to the hospital quickly, which he did. On arriving at the institution, Deon found that other family members were already there, and the doctors were attending to his father whose condition, he said, was frightening.

Despite the doctors' best efforts, Adolph died in the High Dependency Unit about five hours later.

Witnesses said that the two men on the motor cycle were returning to Georgetown when a minibus heading in the opposite direction collided with them. The driver of the bus, who escaped unhurt, reportedly fled the scene, abandoning the vehicle. Adolph leaves to mourn seven children and other relatives and friends.

Increase in sugar production cost minimal
- Says Minister Robert Persaud
Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud, yesterday told the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services that despite the increases in inflation and the cost of other inputs on the world market, the increase in the unit costs for the production of sugar here has been minimal. He was at the time responding to questions posed by the Committee to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco).

Minister Persaud, centre, at the meeting.

The production cost between 1998 and 2008, he said, rose by about US 1.20 cents, an increase of about 5.7 percent, while the inputs, particularly fuel and fertilizer, have seen increases in excess of 100 percent over the same period.

Questioned as to whether resources essential for the efficient maintenance of the industry were diverted to complete the new Skeldon factory, Minister Persaud replied that the efficient maintenance of the industry has continued despite the funding of the factory.

Guysuco, he said, has continued to pursue its mechanised agenda as it has invested in Bell Loaders, replacement of crawlers with wheeled tractors and the conversion of fields to mechanised friendly layout.

Other investments in the industry, apart from the Skeldon factory and routine maintenance, he said, were air heaters added for the boilers at Enmore Estate, packaging equipment and factory upgrade of Blairmont for the production of �merara Gold’ sugar, and the replacement of generator units at factories.

The Minister, in reply to a question on the duration of the management contractor’s tenure with Guysuco, said, “The Business Plan for 2008 to 2016 provides for a continued foreign management contract for the period covered.” The number of foreign contracted employees, he pointed out, was currently six persons as compared to 29 in 1990.

Regular briefing sessions on operational and strategic issues are held with workers’ representatives and union officials on the estates. The sessions are conducted by the estates’ management and at least thrice yearly by corporate executives.

The recent resuscitation of the monthly-held workers’ council also provides an opportunity for their representatives to participate in decisions on key factors affecting the overall performance of the estate.

At the central level, briefing sessions are held with executives and branch officials of the unions to communicate changes in business and strategic plans.

There is a free flow of information on matters of marketing, finance and operations so as to promote trust and trustworthiness at wages negotiations. Workers and representatives are constantly informed on effects of strikes on the well-being of the sugar industry, and the need to exercise due attention to standard procedures that guide industrial actions.

The committee was advised that the new Skeldon factory is expected to operate for 25 weeks at full capacity to take advantage of the dry weather due to the large percentage of mechanised harvesting. This, however, would not affect the workers, since alternative employment would be provided for them in the maintenance of the factory and crops.

The Minister advised that the original date for completion of the Skeldon factory was October 2007; but due to increased piling and other delays because of weather and visa issues for workers from China, the project is now due for completion on August 2.

The committee was told that the new Skeldon factory will have an installed power (Steam/HFO) generation capacity of 40 megawatts, of which 15 megawatts would be available for export. The project is expected to supply 10 megawatts of power to the national grid. (GINA)

There will be no laying off at Guysuco
By Tajeram Mohabir
Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud, has assured the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services that Guysuco workers would not be displaced as a result of its mechanisation plan.

Persaud, addressing the concerns of the Committee at a meeting at Public Buildings, said government has an aggressive programme to retrain and redeploy workers in the value added areas of investment.

The minister, accompanied by top officials of the corporation, also pointed out that currently workers are being trained to be part of the mechanisation programme.

Currently, some 19,000 workers are in the employ of Guysuco, of which 15,000 are full time employees.

This number, he projected, would drop to about 17,000 next year, and would be around 14,000 by 2016.

The minister told the committee that this year the corporation is looking to go about four per cent fully mechanised in reaping and harvesting, 53 per cent semi and 42 per cent manual.

Next year Persaud estimated full mechanisation to increase by 12 percent, 55 per cent semi and manual 33 per cent; and in 2016, full mechanisation to reach 47 per cent, semi 53 per cent, with no manual harvesting.

He said during this period, while there will be a few foreign contractors, Guyanese will largely occupy the labour force.

Currently there are only six foreign contracted workers in the industry, he noted.

Responding to the level of employment in the company from 1992 to present, Persaud said there were some 28,000 fixed and temporary employees in the former years, but this had declined over the years to just over 19,000 persons currently.

He explained the surge in labour in the 1990s was because the industry was going through a crisis with production dipping to around129, 000 tonnes.

Persaud reminded the committee that the situation had forced the then administration to re-hire Booker Tate to expand the corporation’s productive capacity.

Under Booker Tate’s stewardship, the minister recalled, a number of rehabilitation projects were undertaken, as well as investment, giving rise to the surge in labour requirement.

He acknowledged that the move did enable stability in production, but the decline started as most of the recovery work was done, and the subsequent closure of the Versailles factory, among other factors.

The minister stressed that this year, government is looking to spend close to $ 9.7 billion on the Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project (SSMP) and through the European Union (EU) grant facility, close to $ 820 M on the Enmore packaging plant.

Guysuco will be spending close to $ 1.5 billion of its own money on the SSMP and another billion on capital programmes.

In all, Persaud underlined, some $ 13.2 billion will be spent on the SSMP this year, close to $ 8.4 billion in capital programmes next year, $ 2.3 billion in the same area in 2011, and some $ 3.8 billion in 2016.

Loans accumulated will be paid under their stipulated terms and conditions, and as part of the corporation’s impending business plan, in terms of equity financing, that will be re-paid by fixed returns on the capital per annum.

Persaud underscored that government views the industrial relations aspect of operation seriously, and has always given the workers the best that Guysuco can afford.

He noted that workers are regularly upgraded through training programmes and the union is being encouraged to constantly interact with workers to keep them abreast of latest developments in the industry and the impact on their work.

The minister also noted that the Workers’ Council was resuscitated to improve the overall functions of the estates.

On this note, he disclosed that the corporation’s managerial structure is under review and the process, which will see major reorganisation, will be completed next year.

Persaud said that two experts will be hired in this regard, one to look at ways to improve the entity’s production, and the other to examine strategies to boost the financial operations.

Prison inmates excel at CSEC exam
Superintendent of Prisons Faye Clarke, who also has responsibility for Training, Welfare and Corrections, yesterday said that the rehabilitative work of the prison is to teach inmates both technical and social skills to lead productive lives.

She was at the time addressing the graduation of the music class and the distribution of the CSEC certificates in the Prison Chapel, Camp Street.

Seven inmates of the country’s main penitentiary were successful at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) Examination English examination. Rabindra Rooplall, who was recently exonerated by the court, gained a distinction in English while all others gained passes above Grade Three in the same subject.

Thirty-four other inmates graduated after completing an ‘in-house’ music training programme as part of the Prison’s rehabilitative programme.

The instructions for the CSEC Examination and the music classes were conducted by Prison Fellowship Guyana, which provided teachers, Pastor Colin Caesar (Music) and Erma Bovell (English) for the programme.

The rehabilitative programme is designed to expose as many inmates as possible to different aspects of skills training, since it is seen as one of the ways to reduce repeat offenders.

Professor Vaughn Cook, who delivered the main address, told the inmates that they should take full advantage of the opportunities being offered to them in prison since prison is not the end of their lives.

He urged them never to give up and to surround themselves with people who could contribute positively to their development. Many people, he said, end up in prison not necessarily because they are guilty of the crime they have been charged with, but because of the company they chose.

Both teachers involved in the training encouraged the graduates to continue their studies as their future depends on what they do during the rest of the time they are incarcerated and when they leave the institution. (GINA)

‘The Legend of the Silk Cotton Tree’ --- for CARIFESTA X
ONE of the plays to be presented during the Tenth Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA X) is ‘The Legend of the Silk Cotton Tree’, written and directed by Acting Chair of the Symposia Committee, Mr. Al Creighton, and based on a concept by Barry Braithwaite.

Speaking at the weekly press conference at the CARIFESTA X Secretariat in Middle Street, Georgetown, he said Braithwaite submitted the concept which the CARIFESTA X Committee found to be one of the best.

“Coming out of his concept and his story that he outlined…I fashioned out a play or drama and it is largely based on Guyanese folklore and traditions and so on,” he explained.

“Barry is a very strong researcher in Caribbean tradition and folklore, and he has put the strength of his research into this play,” he observed.

He also noted that he has also done some research in this area.

“So it was not difficult for me to work with Barry in producing this and it basically uses the silk cotton tree as the focus and centre of Caribbean traditions over the centuries; all the way back from the Amerindian inhabitation, coming all the way up to slavery, coming through Indian indentureship in the Caribbean,” he said.

“The silk cotton tree is relevant to all those cultures and the play then focuses on the silk cotton tree as a central symbol,” Creighton reiterated.

“It then goes into a range of Caribbean traditions and I think that one of the things Braithwaite wanted to say is that these traditions and folklores are extremely important to the Caribbean people; but the Caribbean people have tended to give it a kind of a glance where they relegated the whole matter to perhaps backward superstition,” he said.

He said the drama also has a lot to do with the supernatural, hence the supernatural element is very strong in the play.

“It makes a link between the Dutch and the Caribbean mythology, and takes us back to the time of the Dutch occupation of Guyana and the very strong traditions that were left on Guyana since the Dutch occupation, where the whole delving into the supernatural and all that has come down to us since then,” he outlined.

The play basically links the interest in these supernatural traditions by a particular Dutch planter and an African ‘obeah man, he hinted.

“One of the things it points to is that those activities left a mark which is very important at the present time in Guyana, and the play then looks at the present heritage in Guyana which has come down from since those days,” Creighton added.

Free tickets for the CARIFESTA X opening
THE public can win tickets to witness the much anticipated opening ceremony of the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA X) at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, by simply answering some questions pertaining to the grand opening.

Speaking at the weekly press briefing at the CARIFESTA Secretariat in Middle Street, Georgetown, Artistic Director of CARIFESTA X, Dr. Paloma Mohamed, last Friday, showcasing a figure of a jaguar, said that the jaguar will be one of the animals at the opening ceremony.

“The question for you and the public is how it is going to be used and how big will it be and clues will be on our website and you can write your answer by July 20,” she explained.

She said that the winner will receive a special invitation to the opening ceremony and a CARIFESTA t-shirt.

“From now until the opening, we will give you some clues about elements of the opening show, since you have been so interested in what is going to happen,” the Artistic Director said.

Legal Aid: a vital adjunct to Fundamental Rights and Freedoms
By Mohabir Anil Nandlall MP
Attorney-at-Law
THE PPP/C in its 2006, election manifesto and campaign committed to the people of this country, the provision of a system of justice to which all will have equal access irrespective of race, class, religion, social standing or geographic location.

As part of the discharge of this promise, we have witnessed the expansion of legal aid services from Georgetown in Region Four (4) where it only hitherto existed to the establishment of legal aid centres in Regions Two (2) and Five (5). We also heard a public declaration from Minister Priya Manickchand that similar centres will be established before the end of this year in Regions 6, 10 and 3. In the short period of one (1) year therefore, six (6) of the more populous regions of this country would for the first time in the history of Guyana benefit from the provision of legal aid services funded by the State.

Historical evolution
From since the beginning of civilization, the dominant quest of man has been in large measure the struggle to safeguard against arbitrary invasion of his most cherished and inalienable gift -- his liberty and freedom. Notwithstanding his vast and monumental achievements in political, social, economic and scientific spheres, this struggle has continued and continues unto today unabated.

In pursuit of this elusive dream of a perfect protective system, mechanisms and tribunals of varying and various types have been conceived and designed the world over vesting in them the requisite power and authority aimed at protecting the rights and freedoms of the individual.

The earliest and probably the most important document in English constitutional history establishing in legal terms the rights of the individual is to be found in the Magna Carta (1215) which provided that:-

“No freeman shall be taken and imprisoned, or outlawed or exiled, or in any other way destroyed, nor will we go upon him, except by lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land.

To no one will we sell, to no one will we refuse or delay the right of justice”.

In 1776, the American Declaration of Independence enshrined these hallowed words pertinent to the liberty of the individual:-

“We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these “Rights” Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just power from the consent of the governed”.

The French declaration of Rights of Man (1789) also provides for:-

“the natural and imprescriptible rights of man; liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression”.

Then came the Universal Declaration of Human Rights after World War II which seeks to give recognition to the inherent dignity of man.

The juridical concept and the jurisprudential aspirations of all these declarations form a central scheme of rights referred to as Fundamental Rights and Freedoms which are now a commonplace feature in most modern constitutions in the world. They manifest themselves in the Guyana Constitution in Articles 138 – 151 (inclusive)

Access to Justice
Unfortunately, these rights and freedoms as contained in constitutions will remain banal declarations and will continue to bear but an idealistically hollow ring to the impecunious and indigent amongst us who cannot afford to seek their invocation and protection. Our own Mr. Justice Guya Persaud, in addressing a Conference on “Law and Development” held in Paramaribo from 11th – 15th May, 1977, expressed the following seminal observations on the role of the State in preventing such denial of justice:

“These rights and freedoms of which we speak have been described as fundamental rights. And in a free society… the State must respect those fundamental rights, and must regard them as belonging to or vested in each individual, however high or however low that individual finds himself in the social order of the State, whether placed there by fate, or having achieved it by personal efforts. It is only where the rights of each individual of the state is safeguarded that can it be said that justice is done. This is the very foundation of the law in a free society. Justice may be called justice only if it is denied no man, however unpopular his cause, however reduced his circumstances, and however heinous the charges against him. In other words, there must be universal access to justice”.

Mr. Emery Brownell, a former Executive Director of the National Legal Aid Association of the United States of America, expressed similar sentiments in an address to the Bar Association of the United States:

“True access to justice is achieved only when no person is deterred by financial, psychological or physical barriers from seeking a claim or for defending a civil claim or a criminal charge”…

Further, on the question of justice for all and equal access to the courts, Professor William Vance formerly of Yale University expressed his view on the subject thus:-

“What does it profit a poor and indigent man that he is equal to his strong antagonist before the law if there is no one to inform him of what the law is or that the courts are open to him on the same terms as all other persons when he has not the wherewithal to pay the admission fee”.

The legal profession and Social Justice
It is this very pivotal need for universal access to justice that legal aid seeks to satisfy. In my humble view, the duty to fill this void devolves not only upon every state but also upon the legal profession in every state. The greatest tribute a lawyer can bestow upon his fellow man and upon his profession is to ensure that no individual with a good cause endures a denial of justice merely for the want of lucre. Indeed, in our legal system this principle is held so sacrosanct that it forms part of the oath which a lawyer is required to take before he or she is admitted to practice his or her profession. Legal aid therefore, is not to be regarded as some form of charity or generous dispensation from the profession to some less fortunate as some may think. Legal aid is a duty and stands as a symbol of morality, richness and vitality of the legal profession in whichever society it obtains. The absence of legal aid renders not only the society poorer but the legal profession itself.

Legal aid is a social service which is as fundamental to society as any, if there is to be social cohesion, peace and social justice. Its provision is but one joint enterprise in which the legal profession and the State must necessarily act in concert. I am reminded of the salutary words of P.A. Gajendragadhar, the former Chief Justice of India, in Law Liberty and Social Justice, when his Honour posited that:

“Social justice is not a blind concept or an irrational dogma. It seeks to do justice to all the citizens of the State. Democratic legislatures, therefore, must not show excess valour by over-legislating or imposing unnecessary legislative regulations and prohibitions, in the same way as they must not show timidity in attacking the problem of inequality by refusing to pass the necessary and reasonable regulatory measures at all”.

It is my hope therefore, that in the near future not only will legal aid services be extended to all regions of our country but that the necessary legislation shall be promulgated in our Parliament to make it a permanent feature of our social and legal landscape. For it is only when this goal is achieved can the constitutional guarantee of Equality before the Law have any real meaning.

Cabinet approved development contracts
CABINET has given its ‘no objection’ for several contracts, including the approval of projects to boost the housing and water sector in Regions Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands) and Five (Mahaica/Berbice).

This was announced by Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinet press conference at the Office of the President, Georgetown.

He said paving of the main access road at La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara, to the tune of $76.4M was approved, and additionally, the clearing of land at Block ‘B’ Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank of Essequibo also in Region Three, at $16.01M.

Dr. Luncheon also informed the media that the ‘go-ahead’ was given for the installation of a pure water supply network at Block ‘D’ Bath, on the West Coast Berbice in Region Five, to the value of $24.4M.

Also, in the health sector, for the supply and delivery of anti-retroviral drugs, two awards were made: US$1.543M and the $533, 000.

Digicel celebrates
DIGICEL celebrated its first anniversary in Mabaruma on Saturday evening with a grand party at the L & D Resort in Region One (Barima/Waini) which featured with lots of giveaways.

From left Regional Chairman Mr. Fermin Singh, Digicel Head of Marketing Mr. Donovan White, and Vice Chairman Mr. Paul Pierre outside the Digicel tower in Region One (Barima/Waini) on Saturday.

The event followed a press conference at the same venue on Saturday when Digicel Head of Marketing, Mr. Donovan White, told a press conference that the telecommunication company is geared towards providing a state of the art wireless mobile service to its customers.

He added, “I believe that there is potential among the people who live and work in Mabaruma and we are providing a service that is expanding all the time”.

Mr. White pointed out that since the launch last year, the network is even ‘bigger and better’, offers a wide range of services, and has raised the bar on the communication network in Guyana.

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Mr. Fermin Singh told a press conference that he is in support of Digicel in the remote region, since residents are enjoying an exciting cutting edge wireless service.

He explained that Digicel has improved the lives of residents in Mabaruma and has even made business more efficient.

“Before Digicel, people had to travel miles from one point to the next to get business done; but now one can simply make a cellular call,” he said.

He urged Digicel to visit the far-fetched areas in Region One and to boost the service in the smaller communities also.

Regional Vice Chairman, Mr. Paul Pierre said the company has certainly improved the lives of residents and has brought about a good change in the region.

Later, Digicel Head of Marketing, Mr. Donovan White, presented the Regional Chairman and Vice Chairman with Digicel gifts.

Food festival to be memorable family affair
THE Grow More Food Festival to be held at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence East Bank Demerara next Saturday is intended to further advance the current campaign to encourage food production for both domestic consumption and export.

The Festival is being held by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC) and the Private Sector.

General Manager of the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC) Mr. Nizam Hassan, disclosed that the Festival aims at heightening awareness about the agricultural opportunities which have arisen due to the current global food challenge.

He stressed that the event will be bigger and more varied than the usual Guyana Night expositions, in that in addition to showcasing goods that are grown and services produced in Guyana, there will be top class entertainment from Super performing Trinidadian artiste Destra Garcia, several other locals, fun rides and other attractions for children, and, tasty dishes prepared from local agricultural produce.

He added: "The entertainment aspects will be blended with serious technology transfer of information on agricultural practices, related information on marketing, research findings, hydromet data and all such related to food production to make a massive difference for all who attend," Hassan said.

"It will be a unique combination of exposition and festivity deliberately geared to providing attractions for all age groups and interests," he said.

The Exhibition will feature crops and livestock produced by farmers from six of Guyana's ten administrative regions.

There will also be exhibits displayed by Food Processors, among whom will be members of the Pomeroon Women's Small Cottage Association, Hassan said.

All produce on exhibition will be available for sale.
Officials of each Department and agency within the Ministry of Agriculture will be present at booths, with exhibits featuring aspects of their work and will also willingly provide information which will be of immense value to kitchen garden owners.

The NGMC will also provide opportunities for producers to interact with buyers to ensure that the marketing aspects are given free rein.

NGMC Marketing Manager Richard Hanif, in charge of logistics for the Festival, assured that arrangements related to security and parking were proceeding smoothly and would be fully in place in time for the event.

Senior Marketing Officer Christopher Chapwanya stressed that the Festival catered for the widest cross section of the public.

He stressed that every effort had been made to make the event a memorable family affair.

Region Two residents first to benefit from family health clinic
ANOTHER big stride has been made to improve the level of local health care with the opening up of a new family health clinic, at Suddie, Region Two.

During a visit to the Region Saturday by Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy and representatives of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), the clinic housed in the Suddie Public Hospital compound was formally opened.

Established at a cost of about $4M, the clinic will offer testing for malaria, filaria, Tuberculosis (TB), HIV, among other conditions, and is staffed with a team of skilled and professional health personnel.

The Minister said that Guyana has one of the most comprehensive programmes of providing free health care for everyone for all chronic and infectious diseases.

Over the years, there have been significant improvements in the sector, he noted, and the Ministry has been able to provide quality anti-natal care and screening for persons living with HIV, filaria, TB and others.

“We have bought the services near to the people,” he said, urging those present to fully utilize the services.

The Minister said that the ministry has progressed a far way in providing testing and treatment, from the days when there was only one testing site and samples had to be sent to Georgetown. This has changed over the years as people can be tested and screened anywhere in the country for HIV, TB, filaria, malaria, and other infectious and chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension.

The Minister said that more will be done to have persons utilise the services and access treatment.

“We should celebrate, but in celebrating, we should recognize that it can be strengthened.”

According to statistics Guyana, has more than 2000 persons living with HIV. While these are treated with anti-retrovirals equally, the same number is managed but not treated. This, the Minister said, will change as the Ministry is looking to have more persons treated at an earlier stage.

Guyana took the lead in 2001 to produce its own anti- retroviral drugs. “We want to put people on treatment earlier, so where people had to wait, Guyana is saying that they we will not wait.”

He said that people living with HIV do not have to see it as being an extra judicial system, rather the best resort is to get treatment early.

Government spends approximately $12B annually to provide treatment and care for Guyanese, and this comes at great sacrifice and at a time when significant sums have to be spent on services, Minister Ramsammy said.

“We are fortunate to have international partners such as PEPFAR, Global Fund and the World Bank,” he said, noting that these organisations would not be around forever, “but our obligation to treat people will be with us forever.”

He added that while tremendous work is done, focus has to be placed on prevention.

The prevalence of AIDS has declined from three to five per cent to between 1 to 1.5 percent. The Minister said that by any standard, the programme has been successful but “we cannot live on our success, we have to continue to work harder.”

The Minister observed that it is more economical to prevent the disease rather than to treat it. In this regard, he said that it cannot be the Ministry of Health’s job alone, but requires a co-operative effort.
He pointed out that stigma and discrimination continue to be a great challenge and urged that this must not prevent persons from getting tested.

In November 2008, the Ministry will be holding its third national day of testing, the Minister said, explaining that the ministry is hoping to achieve a target of 10,000.

The Ministry has also taken the initiative to ensure that women are given options, since they are usually at a disadvantage. NAPS has been instructed to ensure that women condoms are available.

It was noted also, that despite all the messages, persons are still getting infected.

“For every two persons that are treated, five more get infected.” Minister Ramsammy said.

This is as a result of people’s lifestyle and alcohol. He urged persons to be responsible, to take control, and to live positive lifestyles.

TGIs CEMENT TENT VISITS DAZELLE HOUSING SCHEME
Paradise residents and construction workers benefit from visiting cement expert.
RESIDENTS of the Dazelle Housing Scheme, Paradise on the East Coast of Demerara yesterday benefited from the TCL Guyana Inc (TGI) "Cement Tent." The "Cement Tent" is geared towards educating builders and home owners about the quality of TGI cement as well as the best practices when handling cement.

Paradise residents mixing the cement.

Trinidad and Tobago Concrete Technologist, Mr. Danny Jairam, encouraged visitors to the tent to "make the best use of each bag of cement they open." He said, "It is the aim of the "Cement Tent" to educate them to use what is available to them more wisely and cost effectively." He pointed out, "given that the community is one that is very close to the sea, having the right ingredients in their concrete mix is even more important since constant exposure to the salt air form the sea can determine whether or not the right mix was done during their construction, since with time this salt shortens the life span of your structure."

The residents of the housing scheme largely welcomed this effort on the part of TGI in bringing the Cement Tent to their community. They participated in the very interactive sessions and were able to benefit from the question and answer segment. Participants also benefited from the giveaways of trowels, spades, construction buckets, and cement. One of the many masons present walked away with a wheel barrow and several bags of cement for showing his knowledge of the mixing process.

The Cement Tent also featured mixing demonstrations to show the correct procedure when mixing for blocks as well as other cement uses. These demonstrations are a part of the TGI after sales service and support to new and existing customers. Concrete expert Mr. Jairam said, "Using the right proportions of each ingredient when mixing is what will determine the strength of your mixture." He further added that "water as an ingredient is one to pay special attention to, because either too much or too little can weaken the strength of your mix."

Handing over the prizes to the winners, TGIs Plant Manager Mark Bender said “this Cement Tent is all a part of the company's commitment to providing a quality product and after sales service that will enable users to make proper use of the product.” He encouraged the residents “to make the best use of the product as well as the tools they were equipped with so that they can get the best finish for each project they embark on using TGIs quality Portland Pozzolan cement.”

TGI will soon be pitching its "Cement Tent" in West Berbice, Rose Hall Town, Tuschen, Bartica, Parika, and Linden.

Kidney transplant a godsend
The first documented kidney transplant in the United States was performed June 17, 1950, on Ruth Tucker, a 44-year-old woman with polycystic kidney disease, at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park, Illinois, a Chicago suburb.

Even without immunosuppressive therapy – the development of effective antirejection drugs was years away – Tucker li ved another 5 years before dying of an unrelated illness.

Thereafter, successful kidney transplantations were undertaken in 1954 in Boston and Paris. The Boston transplantation was done between identical twins to eliminate any problems of an immune reaction. The first kidney transplant in the United Kingdom did not occur until 1960, when Michael Woodruff performed one between identical twins in Edinburgh.

Until the routine use of medications to prevent and treat acute rejection, introduced in 1964, deceased donor transplantation was not performed. The kidney was the easiest organ to transplant, tissue-typing was simple, the organ was relatively easy to remove and implant, live donors could be used without difficulty, and in the event of failure, kidney dialysis was available from the 1940s.

Tissue typing was essential to the success: early attempts in the 1950s on sufferers from Bright's disease had been very unsuccessful. In 1954, Dr. Joseph E. Murray performed the world's first successful renal transplant between genetically identical patients, for which he won the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1990.

The major barrier to organ transplantation between genetically non-identical patients lay in the recipient's immune system, which would treat a transplanted kidney as a "non-self" and immediately or chronically, reject it. Thus, having medications to suppress the immune system was essential. However, suppressing an individual's immune system places that individual at greater risk of infection and cancer (particularly skin cancer and lymphoma), in addition to the side effects of the medications.

The basis for most immunosuppressive regimens is prednisone, a corticosteroid. Prednisone suppresses the immune system, but its long-term use at high doses carries a multitude of side effects, including glucose intolerance and diabetes, weight gain, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, hypercholesterolemia, and cataract formation amongst others. Prednisone alone is usually inadequate to prevent rejection of a transplanted kidney. Thus other, non-steroid immunosuppressive agents are needed, which also allow lower doses of prednisone.

Now Guyana has chalked up its first kidney transplant, between a mother and her child, and the surgery was successful.

Of course this is a major milepost in health care in our country, and it augurs well for this sector of our endeavours.

For the many Guyanese who cannot afford major surgeries overseas, last weekend’s signal transplant is a real godsend.

We wish the woman and her son well, and that their recovery be speedy and without any hitches.

Welcome back, RR
Mr. Mohammed Sattaur, CEO of the National Communications Network Inc, in an interview last Monday in East Berbice, said that NCN has made drastic leaps over the past year—and rightly so. However, NCN does receive tens of millions of dollars each year as a grant from the Guyana Government. The other TV stations, struggling for revenues, do not receive grants from the government.

NCN receives millions each year to upgrade and enhance. The other TV stations, struggling to entertain the Guyanese public, do not. So it would be very unfair to compare NCN to other media entities in Guyana given the fact that they receive supplemental cash from the government. Hence, it is more than expected from them that they have to perform and perform well for Guyanese.

Also it was rather pleasing to hear that Guyanese will once again get back Radio Roraima (or ‘double R’). This channel should not have been taken off the air in the first place. Hope they have competent announcers to operate it when that time comes.

Berbicians are still awaiting the signals of 98.1 FM. And Guyana is still awaiting other radio signals from private individuals. This year is quickly coming to an end and broadcast legislation to allow private radio stations seems virtually impossible.

But why wait? You can listen to the world and all of its radio stations at www.live-radio.net. You can listen to thousands (two thousand to be exact) radio from Anguilla to Zambia and from all corners of the globe during any time of the day or night with an internet connection. That’s my preferred choice. Guyanese radio just doesn’t do it for me. Somehow I find it displeasing with little effort from management to do a better job. Sometimes you cannot even get a decent reception. I said sometimes.
Leon Jameson Suseran
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I beg to disagree
RECENTLY there has been a number of individuals in this country who openly expressed the sentiment of one Guyanese people.

Some are also emphasizing that there should be no culture barrier, that everyone in Guyana should be treated as Guyanese as a whole.

Why must there be an ACDA or an IAC, or any such organization?

As an individual, I beg to disagree. You see some are claiming Guyana is a non racist country. However as much as I would love to believe this statement is accurate, everyone knows discrimination against people of different ethnicities can never be eliminated. What Guyanese need to work on is tolerance. And respect for others of different persuasions is vital.

Getting rid of any cultural organization in this country will never be the answer of all ills facing this nation.

Cultures can never be eliminated. Understanding one’s culture is the richest gift that has been passed on to generations. We must not forget who we are and where we came from. It’s an absolute insult for the world to forget its culture.

I live in a society where there are hundreds of cultures that are being celebrated almost daily with parades, folkdances, music and food.

There must be respect and understanding for every culture that exists. Let me remind some individuals in Guyana that the majority of this country’s population has always been the East Indian people.

New York is getting ready for the biggest annual East Indian Independence Day Parade. This annual celebration attracts more than fifty thousands spectators.

Freedom Day is not far away, and ACDA and other Afro organizations will stage their presentations.

Our multi-cultural heritage is a splendid opportunity for us to understand each other, and we would do well to make the most of it.
AYUBE KHAN
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Wasting time
IT has become alarming of the amount of time we spend waiting for services provided by public and private organizations in Guyana. The common excuse for the lengthy queuing up is “we are short staffed.” The lengthy delays in providing services to the public will keep Guyana in its current Third World status.

The abovementioned excuse should be banned from all workplaces and employees who make such an excuse should be disciplined for same since these remarks defame organizations. Customers are paying for efficient services.

Some examples where these types of excuses have been used are Commercial Banks, Utility Service Providers, NIS, GRA and the Passport Office. We observed that the time spent waiting to be served at these organizations are longer than the actual transaction time for the purpose of our visits.

In this day and age, when technology is so bountiful, we should not be spending time in “lines” but rather utilize the internet. More local organizations/Government Agencies need to become active online where they can provide services all day and every day. We have to respect time in order for this country to progress!

Our employers are fed up of granting us time off to conduct personal business. We think that the cheapest and most effective way to provide certain services is online. We are sure that any organization which invests in online technology would only stand to gain in several ways with few losses incurred.

Technology was created firstly to aid mankind. However, we have used it lesser to aid ourselves and more to destroy ourselves and others.
R. Singh, K. Persaud, A. Smith and M. Bacchus
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What about his other relatives
READING your comments regarding my uncle's funeral etc I am disappointed to see that no mention was made of his other blood relatives still living at Windsor Forest and elsewhere.

I am the first born grandchild of Joseph and Lucy Chung (Arthur's parents) who carries the family name of Chung. We are a very large family living in Guyana, USA, Canada, UK, Holland and Trinidad.

Maybe, your newspaper should compile a more detailed article on my uncle's background and put it to print for all to read as this will be of some historic value in Guyana.

Let me have your opinion on this subject and if I can help with family information, I will certainly do so. For your information, Arthur Chung was also my godfather.
KENNETH L CHUNG
Editor’s note-We would welcome any family and historical information on the late ex-president.

LTI sneak past Kwakwani to wrest Pepsi basketball trophy
REVENGE was sweet on Saturday evening for Linden Technical Institute (LTI) as they produced a terrific performance to sneak past Kwakwani High 78-74 in a hard-fought and entertaining final of the Pepsi National Schools’ Basketball Festival.

The two teams, who were also last year's finalists, had players returning from that tournament, but it was LTI who wanted the title more after missing out last year.

Shelroy Thomas of Kwakwani High receives the MVP award for the second consecutive year from Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony. (Photos by Quacy Sampson)

Kwakwani’s previous victories in the tournament were the compliments of stiff, organised defence and a collective offence, marshalled by captain and point guard Shelroy Thomas. Their game plan was to play tough defence on the LTI unit, boasting several players comfortably over six feet in height.

However, it was their opponents who were able to better execute that plan.

LTI ensured that from the outset they shut down the support scorers of Kwakwani - Leron La Fleur, Dencil Plak and Marlon Russell - all of whom were a part of last year's team.

That left it all up to their captain Shelroy Thomas to carry the offence which was most times just a one-man attack.

Kwakwani came out with their tails up but were quickly reeled in by a composed LTI. Thomas went off injured with under seven minutes to play in the first half after landing on the foot of an opponent while contesting a ball.

The slight sprain that he endured kept him out of the remainder of the half. Initially, Kwakwani's defence withstood the test and at the third time-out of the half, LTI were up by only one (19-18).

But without Thomas the Kwakwani offence was toothless and his absence began to show. The bulky La Fleur had an off night. The highlight of his misery was a free throw that bounced no less than three times on the rim before falling outside. Teammate Russell was also struggling and Trevor Wilson (who had a slight strain going into the match) was unable to impose himself on the match.

Players from LTI (yellow outfit) and Kwakwani High (white and blue) go up for a rebound.

Praise must be given to LTI for producing the sternest defensive test Kwakwani have faced in the tournament.

They used their superior height and body size to great advantage. Devon Wills of LTI showed brilliance in taking the ball to the basket but often failed to finish. Nevertheless LTI had the players to provide the points when they needed them.

The majority of the crowd supported the smaller lads (Kwakwani) but the Linden supporters’ lungs and boisterousness made up for their lack of numbers.

Roared on by their handful of supporters LTI went into the break with a slim four-point lead at 29-25.

Kwakwani came out after the break with a three-pointer from Thomas (who had iced and rested his ankle) to reduce the gap to one.

LTI were soon to have their own injury woes as Orin Rose went down and had to be helped off the court by teammates with just fewer than 16 minutes to play in the second half. However they were still creeping away since Kwakwani were still playing a one-man attack in Thomas.

Rose (on the bench) had some fiery words of encouragement for his colleagues during a time-out as victory looked within sight.

Dencil Plak, the tallest member of the Kwakwani outfit had a quiet night as the taller Travis Leitch and company from LTI negated the height advantage which he was able to exercise over previous opponents.

Kwakwani were in chase down mode as La Fleur managed to reduce the seven-point deficit to five but LTI's Keon Cameron, who took on a more commanding role in the second half, brought it back to seven. And so it continued.

With 10:51 to play Thomas reduced the gap to three and it remained so a minute and a half later. Rose announced his return to the court with a three-pointer from well outside the arc to spur his team on.

The game was beginning to slip away from the defending champions as the deficit increased to eight with under five minutes to play. Somehow hustling and bustling, Kwakwani managed to pull within four with 2:16 to play. But luck was also on the side of LTI this time around and a free throw from Orin Rose bounced thrice on the rim before dropping in.

Thomas eked out three points to pull his team within one but Cameron hit one of two free throws to put some breathing distance between the two schools.

Thomas once more pulled one out of the bag to tie the game with less than a minute to go. However Rose was not going to return to Linden for the second year without the Champions trophy as he fought his way to the basket and completed his play to the joy of LTI's bench and supporters. Kwakwani choked on their final possession and committed a foul that saw the last two points of the game being scored in free throws as LTI, who were celebrating before the final buzzer, redeemed themselves.

Thomas' game-high 43 points proved to be inadequate while Rose (21), Wills (10) and Cameron (10) were the chief scorers for LTI.

Thomas once more carted off the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

His teammate Dencil Plak was adjudged the Best Defensive Player while Stravin Etienne of Wismar-Christianburg Mulitlateral (Multi) was given the Most Prolific Scorer award. His school defeated President's College (who were awarded a trophy for displaying the best sportsmanship) to finish third.

Etienne led his team's scoring with 21 points while Richard Mohandat was PC's leading scorer with 17.

The earlier match-up had also produced excitement as Multi who dominated the match comfortably, eased up a bit towards the end and allowed PC to pull within six before clinching the win 52-44.

The tournament, which was also used to select players for the Inter-Guiana Games basketball squad, was lauded by Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony who presented the prizes and congratulated the teams.

Bolt fires another Olympic warning to rivals
… runs fastest 200m of the year
By Barney Spender
ATHENS, Greece (Reuters) - Jamaica's Usain Bolt laid down another marker for the Beijing Olympics when he ran the fastest 200 metres of the year so far at the Athens Grand Prix yesterday.

The 21-year-old, who broke the 100 metres world record at the end of May, clocked 19.67 seconds, cruising home to a comfortable victory.

It was a personal best for Bolt and the fifth fastest time ever over the distance.

However, he again played down suggestions that he would soon break Michael Johnson's 12-year-old record of 19.32.

"It is a very hard record to get but someone will take it one day and hopefully I will be that person - maybe next year," he said.

Cuba's Daryon Robles also sent out a warning for the Olympics, clocking 13.05 in the 110 metres hurdles. It was well off his world record 12.87, set last month, but still the third-fastest time of the year so far.

"I felt really good. I am working day after day to fulfil my personal objective for the Olympics," he said.

"I don't want to think too far ahead yet. I honestly believe it is a question of getting to the (Olympic) final because it is, of course, a desire and dream of every athlete to get an Olympic medal."

STIRRING FINISH
Derrick Atkins of the Bahamas took the 100 metres for the second year running, clocking 10.10, while Louis van Zyl produced a stirring finish to plough past the Americans Danny MacFarlane and Reuben McCoy to take the 400 metres hurdles.

The South African's winning time of 48.22 was shy of American Kerron Clement's 47.79, the best so far this year, but there was a season's best in the high jump where Sweden's Stefan Holm cleared 2.37 metres.

The 2007 triple jump world champion Nelson Evora produced a leap of 17.23 to see off Olympic silver medallist four years ago Marian Oprea and the Cuban Arnie David Girat while Louis Tsatoumas gave the home crowd something to cheer when he leapt 8.44 metres, the third best long jump of the year.

Veronica Campbell-Brown made up for disappointment in the same meeting in 2007, winning the women's 100 metres in 10.92.

The Jamaican said: "I am satisfied with my race. I have been training very hard and I hope I will stay healthy to achieve my goal in Beijing. I adore Athens. I run my best races here."

Sanya Richards of the U.S. missed out by 0.03 seconds on the fastest time of the year in the 400 metres but still won with something to spare in 49.86.

In the women's javelin, world record holder Osleidys Menendez of Cuba had to settle for second behind the Czech world champion Barbora Spotakova who won with a throw of 63.70 metres.

Player tests positive in Indian Premier League
… BCCI urged to strictly follow the procedures
NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - A player tested positive for banned substances at this year's inaugural Twenty20 Indian Premier League (IPL), its commissioner Lalit Modi said yesterday.

"One player from the IPL has tested positive," Modi told Reuters. "We don't know his name yet and we have to wait till we get the details."

Many international and domestic cricketers featured in the multi-million dollar tournament held in April-May.

Modi is a vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the league organisers who sought random tests under the provisions of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Indian media speculated the positive result could have come from a fast bowler. The WADA-accredited laboratory which carried out the tests informed the IPL authorities of the results.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the finding and urged the Indian board to strictly follow the procedures.

"The ICC is aware of an adverse analytical finding (AAF) from the recently concluded IPL," it said in a statement.

"As with any AAF that arises during a testing programme organised by one of the ICC's members, it is the responsibility of that member, in this case the BCCI, to deal with the process in a timely and fair manner.

"The ICC is proud of its status as a WADA signatory and will be closely monitoring the situation to ensure the correct action is taken by the BCCI.

"The ICC retains a right of appeal if any penalty that may be imposed is inconsistent with the WADA Code."

TCL Under-19 cricket
Guyana, Barbados in table-topping clash today
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Defending champions Guyana and title-hunting Barbados will meet in the feature attraction in Round Three of TCL Group West Indies Cricket Challenge at BET starting today.

The result of this top-of-the-table clash will give a clearer indication as to where the championship title could be heading.

The Guyanese lead the six-team standings with a maximum 24 points – six ahead of Barbados -- through a pair of outright wins, first against the Leeward Islands in the opener at Kensington Oval, and then a fine come-from-behind win against the Windward Islands at Combermere High School.

After going under on first innings against the Windwards, Guyana -- under the inspired leadership of skipper Eugene La Fleur -- defeated their opponents by 47 runs.

La Fleur led the way by scoring a face-saving 70 runs in his team’s second innings, and then captured three wickets for 33 runs to help rout the Windwards for 99 runs, as they chased 148 for an outright win.

The Guyanese had a full work-out at Banks yesterday and coach Hubern Evans was quite pleased with the “nets” and physical sessions.

He told CMC Sports that he is quite concerned with his top-order batting, but confident of coming out on top in the contest.

“I am looking for a win to stay ahead in the points table,” Evans said.

He said that the team’s performance against the Windwards was not too outstanding but a win is always a win.

“On any situation, a win is a win. The top-order batting has to be more consistent. The bowlers have done well so far in the series, and I hope they will continue in the same vein in this important fixture,” Evans stated.

The young Barbadian team started their campaign with an outright win against the Windwards at UWI, and missed out on another possible 12 points after they failed to take up a decent challenge of scoring 150 runs in 34 overs in the second round against Trinidad and Tobago at the Kensington Oval.

Led by Kyle Corbin, Barbados – with their 18 points – are very strong contenders with three rounds remaining.

In the remaining third-round matches, the Leeward Islands still basking in their glory after they created a minor upset against Jamaica at Lester Vaughan, will take on Trinidad and Tobago at Carlton.

The Leewards, coached by former West Indies fast bowler Winston Benjamin, are third in the standings with 12 points and will be seeking another outright win to stay in the hunt.

Trinidad and Tobago are one from last in the table, and will be looking towards skipper Adrian Barath to regain some of his batting form so that they can be more competitive.

At the Kensington Oval, Jamaica fourth in the standings will battle bottom-of-the-table Windwards.

Top seeds advance at Caribbean juniors squash
HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) – The Under-19 division favourites Cheri-Ann Parris and Robert Maycock have led the top-seeded players through to the Junior Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Championship semi-finals.

The No.1 ranked players in all age-groups – girls and boys – all had semi-final matches yesterday at the Bermuda Squash Racquet Association (BSRA) Courts after the latest round of matches Saturday.

Local player Maycock eased past Trinidad and Tobago’s Adrian Dyer 9-2, 9-2, 9-7 in his quarter-final match.

Maycock’s semi-final opponent will be Jamaican Bruce Burrowes, who fought off Guyana’s Raphael deGroot 9-6, 9-6, 9-6 in his quarter-final.

The Cayman Islands’ Jake Kelly and the No.2 seed Joe Chapman, of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), will contest the other semi-final after winning against T&T’s Kevin Ross and Bermuda’s Elijah Simmons, respectively.

Barbadian Parris, the reigning Girls’ U-19 champion, had a bye Saturday and tackles last year’s U-17 champion Samantha Hennings, of the Cayman Islands, in her semi-final.

Guyana’s Daina King and T&T’s Kerrie Semple will meet in the other semi-final, after King beat T&T’s Amy Gillezeau 10-8, 9-4, 9-7 and Semple got past Cayman’s Courtney Stafford 9-2, 9-4, 9-1 in their quarter-final matches.

The U-17 top seeds Cameron Stafford and Keisha Jeffrey coasted through their quarter-final fixtures on Saturday.

Cayman’s Stafford, beaten finalist last year in Tortola, ran past Bermuda’s Christian Muldoon 9-4, 9-1, 9-2 in his U-17 quarter-final, and Guyana’s No.2 seed Alex Arjoon - up in age-group after his U-15 win last year - outgunned Bermuda’s Micah Franklin 9-7, 9-7, 9-2.

Guyana’s Jeffrey marched into the Girls’ U-17 semi-final by defeating Lauren Mahfood, of Jamaica, 9-1, 9-0, 9-1.

Jeffrey’s sister and No.2 seed Kayla Jeffrey, is also through to the last four.

There were a couple of upsets in the younger age-groups with Jamaicans Jake Mahfood and Justine Anderson registering surprise wins.

Mahfood beat the No.2 seed Jean-Claude Jeffrey, of Guyana, 9-4, 10-8, 10-8, in his U-15 quarter-final, while Anderson ousted the Girls’ U-15 second seed Asha Gibbs, of Barbados, 5-9, 9-7, 9-4, 9-3 to reach the semis.

Other top seeds – Boys’ U-15 Kevin Hannaway, of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Boys’ U-13 Nku Patrick, of Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana’s Mary Fung-a-Fat (Girls’ U-15) and Victoria Arjoon (Girls’ U-13) all moved into the last four.

Smith, McKenzie centuries leave England frustrated
By John Mehaffey
LONDON, England (Reuters) - South Africa captain Graeme Smith came to his side's rescue yesterday with a fighting 107 which may help salvage a draw in the first Test against England at Lord's.

Smith added 204 for the first wicket with Neil McKenzie, who was still at the crease on 102 after South Africa had been asked to follow on Saturday 346 runs in arrears.

At the close, South Africa were 242 for one, needing 104 to make England bat again with a day's play remaining.

Smith, who was out for eight in the first innings, was unable to capitalise on a huge slice of good fortune after reaching his century in the final session.

An edge off Kevin Pietersen's occasional off-spin, which seemed destined for Paul Collingwood at first slip, went through Tim Ambrose's gloves as the wicketkeeper lunged to his left.

However, he was out without adding a run when a skied pull shot off James Anderson was taken safely by Pietersen running in from backward point.

The England team and a near-capacity crowd, gathered on a fine, sunny morning, started the day with high hopes that England were about to end a sequence of five successive Test draws at cricket's world headquarters.

SLOW SPIN
Instead the South African openers, resuming on 13 for no wicket, gradually took command on a pitch offering nothing to the bowlers except for some slow spin for Monty Panesar, who took four for 74 in the first innings.

Panesar was introduced into the attack 48 minutes after the start of play and captain Michael Vaughan placed close fielders on both sides of the pitch.

The left-arm spinner made the occasional delivery deviate from the bowlers' footmarks into the left-handed Smith and away from McKenzie but the only semblance of a chance in the opening session was a faint inside edge from Smith which hit the unfortunate Ambrose's pads.

South Africa, who lunched at 67 without loss, carried on where they had left off after the interval, playing straight and running swiftly between the wickets. Smith reached his 23rd Test fifty in 10 minutes short of three hours and brought up the 100 partnership with a controlled glide for four to third man.

McKenzie completed his 15th Test half-century in 234 minutes from 190 balls.

Smith, using his height to drive confidently through the off-side, went on after tea to compile his 15th Test century with 11 fours from 186 balls followed shortly by the 200 partnership.

SMITH INVOLVED
It was South Africa's 10th opening partnership of 200 or more in Test cricket and Smith, who scored 259 in his only previous Test at Lord's, has been involved in seven.

McKenzie, who had played an excellent supporting role, reached his fifth Test century with a scampered single just before the close. It was his first ton against England and came in 307 balls.

Vaughan kept attacking and innovative fields in place and rotated his bowlers constantly in an attempt to conjure a wicket.

Nobody bowled badly but the continued excellence of a pitch, on which England compiled 593 for eight declared in their first innings, neutralised his pace bowlers who were unable to get any significant movement.

"We still feel in the dressing room that we are in a great position to win this match," England bowling coach Otis Gibson told a news conference. "South Africa faced 90 overs and they are still 100 behind."

Smith, whose match preparation has been hampered by an injured hamstring, said his innings had been one of his best considering the pressure his team were under.

"It was nice to show a bit of good cricket today," he said. "The morning session is going to be crucial for us."

ENGLAND 1st innings 593-8 declared
South Africa first innings 247
SOUTH AFRICA 2nd innings (13-0 o/n)
G. Smith c Pietersen b Anderson 107
N. McKenzie not out 102
H. Amla not out 20
Extras: (b-4, lb-5, w-3, nb-1) 13
Total: (one wicket, 96 overs) 242
Fall of wickets: 1-204.
Bowling (to date): Panesar 33-8-70-0, Pietersen 6-1-19-0, Sidebottom 18-6-23-0 (nb-1), Anderson 19-4-52-1 (w-1), Broad 15-3-55-0 (w-2), Collingwood 5-3-14-0.

MCC criticises England result change
THE Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has heavily criticised the ICC's decision to alter England's win in the forfeited Test against Pakistan at The Oval in 2006 into a draw, and will lobby for another reversal.

The Test had originally been awarded to England after Pakistan did not come out to field after tea on the fourth day, following accusations of ball-tampering.

The MCC is the body responsible for the Laws of Cricket, and secretary Keith Bradshaw felt the ICC's decision contravened the spirit of the game and its laws.

It is also reported that the MCC's cricket committee is opposed to any alteration to Law 21, which states that the result should not be changed.

"Cricket is the worse for this decision and it was opposed unanimously by the ICC's cricket committee, on which I sit," Bradshaw told The Times.

Michael Holding, the former West Indian fast bowler, resigned from the ICC cricket committee following the verdict.

The ICC ruling was termed as "unprecedented and dangerous" by Robert Griffiths, QC, who represented umpire Darrell Hair at his tribunal hearing against the ICC.

"It had no power to do so under the Laws of Cricket and the decision is a nullity," Griffiths, along with fellow barrister Stephen Whale wrote in The Times.

"But it is deeply troubling that the ICC should take this unprecedented and dangerous step.

"It is historical revisionism of the worst kind.

"Law 21 (10) is unequivocal: once the umpires have agreed with the scorers the correctness of the scores, the result cannot be changed.

"The reasoning is vacuous. It was, officially, "based on the view that in light of the unique set of circumstances, the original result was felt to be inappropriate".

"This is even though ICC board member witnesses admitted under oath at Hair's tribunal that the umpires' decisions were in accordance with the Laws."

The initial result had lasting off-field ramifications.

Hair went on to be suspended from the ICC elite panel, and though that decision was overturned last year when he took his employers to the High Court in London, the initial decision formed the basis of Pakistan's appeal for a change to the result. (Eurosport)

Flintoff turns up the heat
ANDREW Flintoff and Sajid Mahmood did their England prospects no harm as Lancashire ripped through Hampshire to give themselves a chance of closing the gap on Nottinghamshire at the top of the LV County Championship

The fast-bowling duo claimed two wickets apiece - with Glen Chapple also bagging a brace - as the home side slumped to 81 for seven in their second innings by tea on day three at the Rose Bowl.

It had all looked rosy for Hampshire before lunch when they took Lancashire's final five first-innings wickets for the addition of just 66 runs, the visitors finishing 295 all out.

But, looking to build a winning lead, the home side's advantage was just 113 with three wickets in hand.

There was more good news for Lancashire as Nottinghamshire crashed to 193 for six in their rain-affected match against Surrey.

The visitors' tail wagged this morning, with Chris Jordan (57) and Saqlain Mushtaq (50) taking Surrey's first-innings score to 403.

Notts lost wickets at regular intervals after lunch, with Will Jefferson (42) Samit Patel (40) making the biggest contribution with the bat.

Kent's Canterbury clash with Yorkshire was fascinatingly poised after the visitors reached tea on 75 for three in their second innings, an overall lead of 18 runs.

Kent were all out in their first innings for 467 in reply to Yorkshire's 410 all out, with Rob Key making 157 before being dismissed by Adil Rashid.

In the visitors' second innings, Andrew Gale (36) and Anthony McGrath (25) both got starts but failed to kick on.

Somerset cranked up the pressure on Durham in their rain-affected clash at the Riverside by reducing the home side to 181 for six.

The visitors declared their first innings on 352 for eight and all their bowlers then contributed as Durham slumped from 114 for two.

Openers Mark Stoneman (53) and Michael Di Venuto (40) were the only batsmen to impress.

In Division Two, Middlesex were on course to close the gap on leaders Warwickshire after skittling Gloucestershire for just 189.

Daniel Evans starred with five for 54, handing the visitors a first-innings lead of 111 at Bristol after they declared on 300 for seven. Middlesex's Eoin Morgan ended unbeaten on 137.

Varun Chopra (59), Jason Gallian (73) and Mark Pettini (52 not out) all made half-centuries as Essex built a lead of 131 over Glamorgan with six first-innings wickets still in hand.

Chopra fell this morning, with Gallian removed shortly after lunch as the visitors reached 263 for four at tea in Cardiff.

Graham Wagg was Derbyshire's hero as Leicestershire crashed to 189 all out after lunch at Derby.

The Foxes had been on 175 for six, responding to their opponents' first-innings 208.

But their final four wickets fell cheaply and Derbyshire were 47 for one in their second innings, an overall lead of 66 runs.

On the final day at New Road, Worcestershire and Northamptonshire were set for a draw after the home side reached 204 for four in their second innings, a lead of 73 runs with one session remaining.

Vikram Solanki starred with 114 for the home side. (Sportting Life)

Overlooked counties slam ECB plans
THE proposal for a multi-million-pound Twenty20 tournament in England to rival the IPL has been criticised by counties who are not part of the plan prepared by Keith Bradshaw, the MCC chief executive, and David Stewart, the Surrey chairman.

The tournament blueprint, which has been reportedly approved by Lancashire and Hampshire, contains 57 matches over 25 days at Category A venues - Lord's, The Oval, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge, Headingley, Old Trafford, the Rose Bowl, Chester-le-Street and Cardiff.

The major concern for the nine counties who do not play at Category A venues is that the tournament will widen the gap between them and the richer counties despite assurances that the revenues would trickle down to all levels.

"It is very disappointing that this has not been discussed with other counties at all," Tom Sears, the Derbyshire chief executive, told The Guardian.

"It would completely change the landscape. We would see the rich getting richer and the have-nots falling further behind. As soon as you get private investors involved all they are interested in is making profit.

"Money would go to the owners, a bit to the counties who own Category A grounds and only a tiny fraction would dribble down. Their lot would get better and ours would get worse.

"The money that would filter down to us would be minimal. The only way it could work for a smaller county like Derbyshire is if the sum we received was astronomical. If it is not then we would never consider it."

Mark Newton, the chief executive of Worcestershire, expressed surprise that the proposal had not been discussed when the counties met last week.

"We have been with these counties twice in the last week, talking about the future of Twenty20," he told The Independent.

"I can't believe people would sit there and not say anything about this. I don't enjoy situations where you have to question people's integrity and, unfortunately, that is the situation we are in here.

"There was a chief executive's meeting on Wednesday and all 18 counties were generally in agreement about the way forward for Twenty20 cricket.

"There was an agreement that any competition would be based on the 18 counties. We have been told that the TV companies love the idea of a competition based on the 18 counties because we are creating something that already has an affinity.

"We have been told that the TV companies aren't interested in city-based cricket."

Glamorgan, whose home ground is in Cardiff, one of the Category A venues, came out in support of the smaller counties.

"I believe this is wrong," Paul Russell, the chairman of Glamorgan said.

"It is a divisive, bootleg proposal which has been generated from self-interest.

"I don't think these forays into flights of fantasy and fairy-tale economics do anybody any good."

The proposal is expected to be presented at an ECB board meeting next week. (Eurosport)

Shoaib set to miss out on Champions Trophy
KARACHI, Pakistan (Reuters) - Shoaib Akhtar's chances of being named in Pakistan's preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy have receded after his lawyer said he would not pay a hefty fine in time to be considered for selection.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) postponed the announcement of its preliminary squad until tomorrow and sent a notice to paceman Shoaib asking him to pay the seven million rupees ($247 600) fine imposed on him by an appeals tribunal in June.

A PCB spokesman said on Friday: "Shoaib's name would only be considered for selection if he clears the fine first."

However, the player's lawyer, Abid Hasan Minto, said yesterday: "Shoaib will pay the fine as soon as the High Court decides the matter (in September).

"If they (the PCB) think the fine payment is a norm for inclusion in the squad, it is up to them. If they want to deny the national team his presence and keep someone like him away from the team ... then it is their decision," he added.

Pakistan host the Champions Trophy in September.

Shoaib was banned for five years by the board in March for various acts of indiscipline.

He appealed against the ban to an appeals tribunal which reduced it to 18 months but imposed the fine on him.

The fast bowler then filed a petition to the Lahore High Court against the ban and fine last month.

The court suspended the ban but refused to clear the fine until the case is taken up for regular hearing in September.

Minto said a reply will be sent to the board today regarding the fine.

International commitments take precedence - PCB
GIVING international fixtures the priority, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said it won't allow its players to take part in the next IPL season if it coincides with Australia's rescheduled visit to the country next year.

There are 11 Pakistan players in the IPL, including captain Shoaib Malik, vice-captain Misbah-ul-Haq, and Sohail Tanvir, one of the key players in Rajasthan Royals' triumph in the inaugural season.

"We don't see any confrontation with the players over the clash of dates, the IPL is a domestic tournament," Shafqat Naghmi, the Pakistan board's chief operating officer, told PTI. "International commitments take precedence over the domestic tournaments and the IPL is no exception."

Naghmi's comments come a few days after Sri Lanka Cricket allowed its key players to feature in next year's IPL despite a clash with proposed dates of the tour to England. SLC's decision even prompted Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, to hint at the need for an IPL window in the international calendar.

"We will work strictly under a principle that has been decided at the ICC level," Naghmi said. "Obviously the home series against Australia is very important for us and nothing will take precedence over it."

Australia postponed their tour to Pakistan in March this year after several bomb attacks in the wake of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination in December 2007. Pakistan are to hold the Champions Trophy in September, subject to the ICC determining the situation is safe for the tournament to go ahead.

Besides ICC's security consultants, the Australian, England and New Zealand boards have hired an independent expert to assess the situation.

Players such as Andrew Symonds have already expressed their reservations, and Cricket Australia is yet to decide on the fate of those who refuse to tour. (Cricinfo)

The role of nutrition in exercise and health
By Sandra Plummer
(Registered sports nutritionist, U.S. National Association of Sports Nutritionists (NASN)
RESEARCH on the role of nutrition in exercise and sport has increased dramatically over the past two decades. The science of sports nutrition includes methods for assessing both diet and fitness levels so that individual recommendations can be made to improve energy and nutrient intakes based on activity levels.

Today there is no doubt that nutrition plays a vital role in exercise performance and training. Ensuring that the physically active person and elite athlete has the right combinations of the major nutrients for good nutrition - carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins and water - cannot be overemphasised.

Proper nutrition can help to speed the healing process for injured athletes, recovery from muscle or bone injuries or from surgery. These conditions require extra energy and nutrients, including protein, vitamins and minerals.

Carbohydrates are important for endurance-exercise performance and during times of high-intensity training. Fluid intake plays a role in both short-term and endurance exercise.

There is no question that competitive athletes can benefit from adequate energy, nutrient and fluid intakes. Good nutrition can help competitive or recreational athletes recover from strenuous physical activity, refuelling and rehydrating the body while at the same time providing nutrients to build and repair muscles, thereby enabling individuals to engage in the next bout of physical activity without adverse effects.

This is especially important for athletes during sports tournaments or for any individuals who engage in physical activity on a daily basis.

For example, a triathlete may do an hour swim in the morning and a three- hour cycle workout in the afternoon. Between these two workouts, the athlete must replenish the body’s glycogen stores and consume adequate fluid to ensure optimal exercise performance.

Well-fuelled and well-hydrated athletes reduce their risk of injury during exercise - risk that increases as individuals become fatigued and lose their ability to concentrate - as they deplete the substrates needed to fuel that exercise.

Nutrition also plays an important role in weight control and body composition.

Few individuals today are happy with their weight, body fat levels or body shape.

Helping active individuals develop realistic approaches to weight management (weight gain or weight loss) can significantly improve health and reduce stress levels.

The athlete who is concerned about weight and body image is at increased risk of disordered eating or even of developing a clinical eating disorder. This is of especial concern in young female athletes.

As interest in sports nutrition increases, the number of products promising improved exercise performance, gains in muscle strength, quick weight loss, and changes in body composition increase exponentially - which makes it difficult to separate fact from fiction.

You cannot pick up a popular fitness, nutrition or health magazine without being bombarded with advertisements for various supplements, ergogenic aids and sports foods.

If you combine these advertisements with the myriad advertisements for weight loss or gain it is not surprising that the public is confused.

(Information or proper use of nutrients, sports foods, supplements and other sports-nutrition related issues will be discussed in further articles in this column.)

(Information in this article has been taken from ‘Sports Nutrition for Health and Performance (2000)’ by Melinda Manore and Janice Thompson: Chapter One)

T&T U-17s stay unbeaten in Sir Garfield tourney
… School of the Nations share top spot in Zone B
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Defending champions Trinidad and Tobago Under-17 are among the unbeaten teams after four rounds of the Digicel Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools cricket tournament.

T&T U-17s, the School of the Nations from Guyana, Jamaica U-17s and the Lodge School, of Barbados, all registered wins as the fourth round concluded on Friday.

The T&T U-17s knocked off Barbados’ Coleridge & Parry to lead Zone A along with Jamaica U-17s.

At the Conrad Hunte Ground, a half-century (52) from Yannich Ottley and a five-wicket haul from Vikish Rampersaud (5-30) guided the champions to a 77-run victory over the Barbadians.

At Wayne Daniel Ground, Jamaica U-17s claimed victory over Antigua Combined by three wickets.

Inspired bowling from Ashan Plumber, with six for 27, restricted Antigua to 114 all out. The Jamaicans, led by Hahchard Hamilton (35 not out), replied with 115 for seven in 28.3 overs.

School of the Nations share the top spot of Zone B with The Lodge School of Barbados.

The Guyanese kept their perfect record intact Friday when they defeated English side South Birmingham by five wickets at Friendship.

South Birmingham made 100 all out off 27.2 overs as Travis Blyden picked up four for 15 and Carlos La Rose three for 38.

School of the Nations achieved victory at 102 for five off 19.2 overs with Toralva Scipio (24) and Matthew Marquez (20) being the chief scorers.

The Lodge school followed the Guyanese lead by recording an eight-wicket victory over England’s Kings College Wimbledon at Inch Marlow.

The Barbadians lost just two wickets in the pursuit of the English paltry total of 113 in 36.4 overs, Dario Weir top-scoring with an unbeaten 40.

In contrast to the exploits of the table topping quartet, the trio of Bermuda Combined, St Mary’s College, of Trinidad and Tobago, and England’s South Birmingham are all 0-4.

T&T U-17s and Jamaica U-17s lead Zone A with 16 points each, followed by BCL Juniors (Barbados) with 12.

In Zone B, School of the Nations and the Lodge School also have 16 each, stalked by former champions Combermere, of Barbados, and England’s Birkenhead on 12 points.

Ricco flies high to claim second stage win
By Julien Pretot
BAGNERES DE BIGORRE, France (Reuters) - Italian Riccardo Ricco paraded his climbing skills with a stunning attack on the first mountain test of the Tour de France yesterday to claim his second stage victory.

The Giro d'Italia runner-up dropped the race favourites on the ascent of the category-one Col d'Aspin on the ninth stage with a sudden burst of speed and never looked back.

A winner in an uphill finish on the sixth stage, Saunier-Duval's Ricco beat Russian Vladimir Efimkin, the AG2r-La Mondiale rider crossing the line one minute four seconds later.

France's Cyril Dessel, also of AG2r-La Mondiale, was third, 13 seconds behind, after winning the sprint of the favourites' group.

"This victory means much more to me than the first one because it was a real mountain stage," said Ricco, who now is 21st overall, 2:35 adrift of Luxembourg's Kim Kirchen.

Australian Cadel Evans, widely seen as the overall favourite, crashed midway the stage and sustained bruises on his left knee, elbow and thigh.

"We are not worried from a medical point of view. There will just be the usual effects of a crash," said race doctor Gerard Porte.

Evans remains second in the overall standings six seconds behind Kirchen, who also took the green jersey for sprinters from Spain's Oscar Freire.

American Chris Vande Velde of the Garmin-Chipotle team is third overall, 44 seconds behind.

Team Columbia's Thomas Lovkvist of Sweden suffered in the climbs and lost his white jersey for the best young rider to Luxembourg's Andy Schleck, 12th overall.

Although he is still not favourite to win in Paris, Ricco showed that in a race without an overwhelming figure, he could shake the hierarchy and be a permanent threat.

PANTANI STYLE
Three men took their chance after just 22 km of 224-km stage.
Aleksandr Kuschynski of Belarus, German Sebastian Lang and France's Nicolas Jalabert built a 14-minute gap but it was down to 10 minutes at foot of the category-one Col de Peyresourde.

Jalabert was the first to be dropped, soon followed by Kuschynski and it was Lang who reached the summit first with an advantage of 5:25.

In the peloton, struggling sprinters such as Robbie McEwen, Mark Cavendish and Freire were discarded and regrouped to climb at their own pace.

Dubbed ‘The Cobra’, Ricco was the first big name to shake up the peloton on the Col d'Aspin but Evans's Silence-Lotto team also stepped up a gear to catch the climber.

Ricco, however, was at it again four km from the summit, firing clear of the bunch in a style reminiscent of the late Marco Pantani, his idol.

The 24-year-old quickly had Lang in his sight and went in front at the top with a 75-second advantage over the peloton with 26 km to go.

It was the Caisse d'Epargne team who then worked to reduce the arrears with Evans content to follow the pace.

Kirchen was spotted struggling at the heart of the favourites' bunch but held on.

The Team Columbia rider is expected to suffer today during the 10th stage over 158 km from Pau to Hautacam with two out-of-category climbs on the menu.

"In these races, you often have a bad day, I think mine came today," said Kirchen. "Tomorrow will be a different race."